21 Hangouts for Hunters

Brad Eden
-
September 29, 2015

I am fortunate to live in the middle of what amounts to a grouse and woodcock cover here in mid-Maine, and routinely hunt out my back or front door. Unless I'm heading up to my north woods camp I rarely travel more than 15 minutes to local bird covers.

But many bird hunters travel considerable distances with their dogs and hunting buddies to satisfy their bird-hunting addiction. Along the way they find hunter-friendly places to buy their licenses, stock up on gear, and enjoy a hot meal — and satisfy a thirst.

Being the homebody bird hunter that I am, I reached out to my membership on "Upland Journal," the upland bird-hunting bulletin board I've been running for over 12 years.

I asked for input on the "Hangouts" for hunters my members have discovered — places across the country that are geared towards hunters, the places they gravitate to while hunting home ground or on long hunting trips.

These hunter hangouts cover a range of kinds of establishments, such as restaurants, pubs, bars, diners, and old-fashioned general stores.

As responses poured in, a few things became clear. Great food and drink were the top priority for bird hunters (and, no doubt, most other kinds of traveling hunters as well), with an emphasis on steakhouses that sported a full bar.

This doesn't say much for the average bird-camp cook, I suppose. And not surprisingly, additional research revealed most of these hangouts for hunters featured sporting décor with wildlife mounts and classic old hunting and fishing artwork and photography.

For the most part, they are warm and rustic and all of them cater to the hunter and fisherman.

Without further ado, and in no particular order, here are some hunter-friendly hangouts where you may want to hang your blaze hat on your next hunting trip.

Montana

Mint Bar & Grill in Lewiston

If you are traveling through the state of Montana Â this is a well-known stomping ground for bird hunters, according to an Upland Journal board member. The owner and host is a fellow bird hunter and bird dog fanatic, so the welcome mat is always out.

Benton's,Â in Madisonville, is an old-fashioned smoke house featuring their signature Smokey Mountain Country Hams. A must stop for traveling hunters and fisherman while traversing the Smokey Mountains.

Known for its outstanding bacon and a variety of smoked hams, all cured using the traditional dry-curing process. Buy extra and you will be glad you did.

At Connecticut Lakes Lodge in Pittsburg. "North woods fine dining in a rustic and casual atmosphere" was the insider's take on this place, and really, you can't go wrong with the name Buck Rub Pub.

This family-friendly haven in the heart of the north woods of New Hampshire touts good food, frosty wildlife memorabilia and game mounts. If you are also looking to catch a night's sleep, you can check in at lodge.

According to one board member, Harry's is a casual place with cheap drinks and great food. Saturday is rib night, and the owner'“whose name, of course, is Harry'“ is a competition rib champion with his own smoke house and signature sauces. Harry's is a casual place where you find hunters hanging out with their bird dogs on the front porch.

This historic establishment is built with huge Douglas fir timbers salvagedÂ from an abandoned railroad trestle, and not only serves excellent food and drink, but also provides showers for the road-and woods-weary hunter.

The chances are good that you will belly up to the bar with some unusually well-scrubbed ruffed grouse hunters here.

Trestle Inn Restaurant

7 Cramer Road

Findland, Minnesota 55603

218-833-0523

Fare:Â Burgers, baskets and dinners. Full bar

Kansas

Big Ed's SteakhouseÂ in Bird City. "It's legendary in the minds of most Kansas hunters" was a report I received. It's a traditional gathering place for bird hunters with a big crowd on the opening weekend of pheasant season.

This steakhouse is known for its delicious steaks'“steaks that are never frozen, but cut fresh to oder. Bring cash: Big Ed's doesn't do plastic.

Big Ed's Steakhouse Â Â Â Fare: Steak, steak, steak! Full bar

104 West Bressier

Bird City, Kansas 67731

785-734-2475

Maine

K&D Corner Store in West Newfield. A fellow Maine bird hunter discovered this hangout in my neck of the woods. According to him, K&D's is the quintessential Main store with everything a tired bird hunter would want and need: Tagging station, gas, smokes, booze, breakfast, pizza and subs, and a big orange "Hunters Welcome" sign.

K&D's Corner Store Â Â Fare:Â General Store

185 Wakefield Road

West Newfield, Maine 04095

207-793-5050

Mama Bears Restaraunt

Mama Bear's club sandwich stacked with fries.

This little gem is my offering. Before I purchased my own bird camp, I took trips to hunt in the paper company lands in this area of northern Maine. Mama Bears is a small sit-down joint on Main Street with unpretentious, but good, food.

This is where I first discovered Poutine: A dish originating in Canada and made with french fries drenched in brown gravy and curds. If that doesn't stick to your ribs nothing will.

This hangout overlooks the Missouri River and has "damn fine food and an excellent bar as well'¦ with steaks of all kinds as well as Prime Rib." Replete with a full bar and lots of beer selections on tap.

A family owned, friendly place boasting a huge menu of seafood dishes at reasonable prices. Don't expect to tie one on here as it is alcohol-free, but the food makes up for lack of libations. A perk is a large taxidermy shop andÂ gift shop just across the street to check out.

My contributor went out on a limb and stated this place has the BEST (in caps) burgers in Western Washington. He also raved about the BBQ'd oysters on the half shell, but take note

they are only available on Saturday and Sunday during the summer.

If you are there during waterfowl season, expect to see camo-clad duck and goose hunters bellying up to the bar with their waders on.

Conway Pub & Eatery Â Â Â Fare: Seafood, burgers, full bar

18611 Main Street

Conway, washington 98238

360-445-4733

Â Wyoming

The Occidental Hotel lobby sitting room.

The Occidental Hotel in Buffalo is a classic northwestern hotel opened in 1880, where the likes of Teddy Roosevelt and Buffalo Bill hung their hats. Enjoy a steak at The Virginian Restaurant or more casual fare at The Busy Bee Cafe.

Located at gateway of the Bighorn Mountains, the hotel is a prime destination for fishermen, bird hunters and big game hunters from far and wide.

Zentner's Daughter Steakhouse in San Angelo. "The food is classic Texas steakhouse. The steaks are very good (KC steak for 2 is a favorite), the wine prices are not jacked up and the service is very Texas friendly.

Louie Cairo's Restaurant in Williams. This Italian restaurant gets rave reviews from waterfowl and pheasant hunters who complimented the great steaks, fantastic ravioli and the sourdough garlic bread that keeps people coming back. There's also a large well stocked bar an an excellent selection of red wines.

Shamrock Bar & Grill in Manton. I received a lot of input from members who hunt and travel in Michigan and this is a favorite hangout. One of my members mentioned plugging in his dog collar to recharge while he enjoyed huge burgers, onion rings and cold beer at a reasonable price.

The place is a locals' hangout — and the locals are predominantly deer hunters. For visiting bird hunters, that's an added bonus: local deer hunters are familiar with the woods you'll be going in, and because they're after deer rather than birds, they are typically willing to share where they are seeing grouse during their deer hunts.

Bicigo's Crystal Falls Shoe Store in Crystal Falls.Â The rave reviews of this store prompted me to include it in this hangouts article. This store is a step back in time. It's owned by a husband and wife who close the store for lunch and use the old clock sign hanging in the door to let you know when they will return.

All sales with shoe or boot style and size are hand printed and filed away with buyers' contact info. So purchasing a new pair is easy. They specialize in Red Setter and Red Wing boots for bird hunters.

Bicigo Crystal Falls Shoe Store

40 superior avenue

crystal falls, Michigan 49920

906-875-6741

Ma Deeter's Restaurant & Bar in Luzerne.

A board member went as far as to say that Ma Deeter's is the best hangout in the heart of northern Michigan grouse country. "Good eats and salt of the earth folks" was his assessment. Originally built and opened in 1921 by Anna (Ma Deeter) and husband William, but it retained the classic log construction and sporting decor.

Fare: Seafood, steaks, burgers, sandwiches, full bar

Ma Deeter's Restaurant & Bar

2262 Deeter Road

Luzerne, Michigan 48636

989-826-1013

By no means are these all of the great hangouts for hunters, but these will get you started on your next hunting road trip. Whether on the main drag or off the beaten path, these hunter friendly hangouts go out of their way to cater to sportsmen and deserve our business.

A special thanks goes out to the knowledgeable and generous bird hunters who shared their information and opinions. Safe travels.

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